EVENT LINK: https://northernplainsfestival.org

FEE: $10

🎬 CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Northern Plains Indigenous Film Festival

📅 April 17–18, 2026
📍 Fargo Theatre — Fargo, North Dakota

📅 Key Submission Dates

• Submission Period: Jan 1 – Mar 30, 2026

• Notification Date: April 1, 2026

• Festival Dates: April 17–18, 2026

The Northern Plains Indigenous Film Festival invites Native American and Indigenous filmmakers to submit work for its inaugural festival, showcasing contemporary Indigenous cinema and centering Indigenous voices, perspectives, and lived experiences.

🎥 Eligibility

• Films must be directed, co-directed, or produced by a Native or Indigenous filmmaker

• Filmmakers from the Northern Plains, Midwest, and beyond encouraged to apply

• Emerging and established filmmakers welcome

🎞 Accepted Categories

• Narrative Features

• Documentary Features

• Narrative Shorts

• Documentary Shorts

• Experimental & Hybrid Works

🎯 Programming Focus

Films that:

• Present Indigenous stories with authenticity and care

• Reflect contemporary Native life, culture, and experience

• Explore a wide range of genres and storytelling approaches

• Contribute to dialogue within Indigenous communities and beyond

Selected filmmakers may be invited to participate in post-screening conversations and professional discussions.

💵 Fees & Format

• Submission Fee: $10 (via FilmFreeway)

• Submission Format: Digital link or physical media

• Screening Format: DCP or high-quality digital file

🤝 Filmmaker Support

Selected films may receive:

• Screening fees or honoraria (as funding allows)

• Filmmaker Q&As and professional dialogue opportunities

• Promotion through festival marketing and press outreach

🔗 More info & submissions:
https://filmfreeway.com/NorthernPlainsindigenousFilmFestival
🌐 Festival website: https://northernplainsfestival.org/

EVENT LINK: https://www.minnesota.edu/news/two-winter-art-exhibits-opening-soon-fergus-falls-campus

FEE: Free and open to the public

The Eclectic Collection – Cathrin & Laura Von Bank

Exhibition

Dates: January 21 – May 16, 2026
Location: Waage Gallery, M State Fergus Falls
Admission: Free and open to the public during regular campus hours

The Eclectic Collection brings together work by sisters Cathrin and Laura Von Bank in a dynamic, multi-media exhibition. Featuring linocut prints, portraiture, fiber art, and mixed media, the show reflects the artists’ shared roots and distinct practices, drawing inspiration from nature, rural life, textiles, and the human figure.

A joint reception with “The Process of Satiation – Emily Williams-Wheeler” will be held Wednesday, February 12, from 4:00–6:00 p.m

EVENT LINK: https://plainsart.org/exhibitions/homing-radical-re-membering/

FEE: Free

Alicia Hauff | Homing: Radical Re-Membering

January 31, 2026 - July 5, 2026

Homing is a solo exhibition featuring the work of regional multidisciplinary artist Alicia Hauff. This body of work examines the disconnect between contemporary life and the ecological, ancestral, and somatic systems that have sustained human and non-human communities. Homing refers to “an ability to return to a place or territory after traveling a distance away from it.” The foundational aspects of home include a sense of rootedness, connectedness, belonging, safety, and mutual care. Homing is a re-membering, recovering, and re-commitment to the greater whole of interconnected, interdependent life. Re-membering relates to the embodied act of becoming whole, putting ourselves back together again in care and community. For Hauff, homing begins with getting to know those beings all around us, every day.

Starion Bank Gallery | Plains Art Museum

General admission to this and all exhibitions at Plains Art Museum are free every day of the week.

EVENT LINK:https://www.reddoorgallerywahpeton.com/featured-artists.html

FEE: Free & Open to the Public

The Works by Virginia Dambach Exhibition

📅 February 3 - March 21, 2026
🕑 Artist Reception - Thursday, February 19, 5-7 PM
📍 Red Door Art Gallery, 418 Dakota Ave, Wahpeton, ND

Virginia Dambach’s fiber art show featuring pieces by Jodi Peterson is now on display until March 21st! Mark next week, February 19th on your calendars for the artist’s reception being held from 5-7PM!

FEE: $20 Non-Member | $17 Member

Morning with Megan Series

Spring Workshops Feb – May 2026
Register Today!

Join us this spring at the Cultural Center as our new “Morning with Megan” workshop series continues! Morning with Megan is a monthly creative series held on the second Saturday of each month, offering new projects and creative inspiration throughout the year.

2026 Morning with Megan Spring Series:

• Saturday, February 14 – Victorian Puzzle Purse Workshop @ Hygge Market – Drop-ins welcome!

• Saturday, March 14 – Mixed Media Celtic Rabbits 

• Saturday, April 11 – Painted Wood Folks Eggs

• Saturday, May 9 – Needle Felted Landscapes

Come learn with us this season! Click below to register for each class online, or call us at:
218-385-3339.

Workshops take place at the Cultural Center, in the upstairs studio (accessible only by stairs; call 218-385-3339 if accommodations are needed). We kindly request that you pre-register so we can plan adequately. Click the links below to sign up today, or call 218-385-3339 with any questions.

Please note: Arts Learning Workshops (and all Cultural Center events!) are always open to ALL — you do NOT need to be a member to attend. However, members DO help support us financially and as our way of saying thanks, members receive a discount on many workshops and performing arts events!

EVENT LINK: https://www.kulcher.org/in-the-gallery-conversations-with-nature/

FEE: Free & open to the public

Conversations with Nature | Group Exhibition

featuring Laura Grisamore, Dawn Rossbach, and Jeremy Simonson

Location: New York Mills Regional Cultural Center, New York Mills, MN
Exhibition Dates: Tuesday, February 24 – Saturday, March 28, 2026
Reception: Saturday, March 7 | 1–3 pm | Free and open to the public

The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center (NYMRCC) is pleased to present Conversations with Nature, a group exhibition featuring art and photography by Laura Grisamore, Dawn Rossbach, and Jeremy Simonson of Studio 176 in Park Rapids, Minnesota. The exhibition will be on view from February 24 through March 28, 2026.

Conversations with Nature explores the varied and personal ways artists engage with the natural world. Through both fine art and photography, the three artists present unique perspectives on landscape, detail, light, and environment. Their work invites viewers to pause, observe closely, and reflect on the connections between creativity and place.

While each artist brings a distinct style and medium, the exhibition is unified by a shared spirit of curiosity and response to nature — capturing moments, moods, and textures that might otherwise go unnoticed.

A public reception will be held on Saturday, March 7, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center. The event is free and open to the public, and light refreshments will be served. Guests will have the opportunity to meet the artists and learn more about their work and creative processes.

The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center continues its mission to connect community and the arts through accessible exhibitions, events, and educational programming.

The NYMRCC Gallery is always free to see and open to all, thanks to the generous support of members and donors. Gallery Hours are Tuesdays 10am-5pm, Wednesday & Thursdays 10am-7pm, Fridays 10am-5pm, and Saturdays 10am-3pm. Donations are always welcome to support continued operations.

For more information, visit www.kulcher.org or contact Megan Shirley-Ross, Artistic Director at 218-385-3339 or megan@kulcher.org.

EVENT LINK: https://www.therourke.org/eric-a-johnson-periphery.html

FEE: Free

Eric A. Johnson

Periphery: Paintings + Reduction Relief Prints

Reception: Sunday March 22, 1:30 - 3:30 | Artist Talk: 2 PM
Exhibition on View in the Main Gallery from March 6 - April 12, 2026

This exhibition features recent work by printmaker and painter Eric A. Johnson, including controlled drip acrylic paintings and reduction relief prints. Exploring the concept of “periphery,” the work reflects both the outer edges of landscapes and the subtle spaces just beyond our central focus. Atmospheric forms emerge through layered color, carving, and removal, emphasizing how meaning can develop at the margins.

Johnson, originally from rural North Dakota, draws inspiration from expansive landscapes and his background in printmaking. He earned his MFA from the University of North Dakota and has exhibited widely throughout the region. In addition to teaching at area colleges, he serves as Master Printer at North Dakota State University and operates his printmaking studio, Big Oak Press, in Hillsboro, ND.

EVENT LINK: https://www.kaddatzgalleries.org

FEE: Free & open to the public

Lyssa Lovejoy

Black Cowboys, Buffalo Soldiers
& the Wonders of the Wild West

Kaddatz Galleries | Charles Beck Gallery
March 17 – April 25, 2026

Joint Opening Reception: Thursday, March 19 | 5:00–7:00 PM
Free and open to the public

 Kaddatz Galleries is proud to present a powerful exhibition by regional artist Lyssa Lovejoy, uncovering the often-overlooked stories of Black individuals who shaped the American frontier. Through vivid color, layered materials, and dynamic imagery, Lovejoy brings to life rodeo scenes, ranch life, and the enduring legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers—honoring their courage, resilience, and cultural impact.

Working from her studio in Evansville, Minnesota, Lovejoy draws on more than 40 years of creative practice across painting, teaching, and community-based art. Her process begins with research and conversation, treating each new series as a journey—guided by questions, shaped by learning, and revealed through layered mark-making. Moving fluidly between oil sticks, acrylic, watercolor, pen and ink, collage, and mixed media, she selects the materials that best serve each story.

At its core, this exhibition invites reflection and dialogue. Each piece honors the human story and asks viewers to consider: Where do you see yourself in this history? What stories are you carrying forward?

Join us for the joint opening reception on March 19 to celebrate both of these compelling and timely bodies of work.

EVENT LINK: https://www.kaddatzgalleries.org

FEE: Free & open to the public

Dawn Rossbach

The Blind Mind

Kaddatz Galleries | Studio K Gallery

March 17 – April 25, 2026
Joint Opening Reception: Thursday, March 19 | 5:00–7:00 PM
Free and open to the public

In The Blind Mind, artist Dawn Rossbach presents a compelling collection of oil paintings exploring the experience of creating art with Aphantasia—a condition in which individuals are unable to form mental images.

With support from the Minnesota State Arts Board, Rossbach created this body of work without relying on objects, photographs, or internal visual references. The project raises awareness and fosters understanding about Aphantasia, challenging common assumptions about how artists “see” and visualize their work. While Aphantasia is not considered a disability, research suggests connections to memory and comprehension—insights that deeply resonated with Rossbach during her years as a high school art teacher.

In this debut exhibition, paintings are thoughtfully arranged in alternating diptychs and single canvases, with color guiding the viewer’s movement from one work to the next. The result is a visually dynamic and conceptually rich experience that invites reflection on perception, language, and the creative process itself.

Join us for the joint opening reception on March 19 to celebrate both of these compelling and timely bodies of work.

EVENT LINK: https://lrac4.org/call-for-artists

FEE: Free to apply

LRAC Call for Art: Annual Guest Juror Exhibition

The Lake Region Arts Council is thrilled to announce the Annual Guest Juror Exhibition, a juried exhibition celebrating the depth, diversity, and creativity of artists working across west central Minnesota in our nine-county region. 

Call Opens: Monday, March 30, 2026

Application Deadline: Monday, April 27, 2026

This exhibition is open to artists working in any medium and any theme.

Eligibility:

Artists living in the following Minnesota counties are eligible to apply:

Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, and Wilkin.

Exhibition Details:

• Exhibition Dates: July 13 – September 15, 2026

• Closing Reception & Artist Celebration:

• Tuesday, September 15, 2026 | 5:00–6:30 PM

• Artist Notifications: June 1, 2026

Meet the Guest Juror: Anne Meyer

Anne Meyer is a multidisciplinary artist based in St. Joseph, Minnesota, whose practice bridges studio work, public art, and deep community engagement. A graduate of the University of Minnesota–Morris with a B.A. in Studio Art, she completed an apprenticeship at Saint John’s Pottery under master ceramicist Richard Bresnahan, grounding her work in craft, collaboration, and place-based inquiry.

Meyer has led numerous public art projects across Minnesota, including large-scale murals, outdoor sculpture commissions, and the founding of a community art center and community choir—often inviting community members to participate directly in the creative process. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, and she brings decades of experience as an educator, artist-in-residence, and collaborator. As Guest Juror for the 2026 LRAC Annual Guest Juror Exhibition, Meyer offers a thoughtful, inclusive perspective rooted in artistic excellence, mentorship, and the transformative power of community-centered art.

Questions?

Contact Naomi RaMona Schliesman, Gallery Curator:

gallerycurator4@gmail.com

We encourage artists to apply and to share this opportunity widely within the creative community.

EVENT LINK: https://northernplainsfestival.org

FEE: Ticketed event — see website for details

Northern Plains Indigenous Film Festival

📅 April 17–18, 2026
📍 Fargo Theatre — Fargo, North Dakota

The Experience:

Two days of narrative, documentary, and short films followed by filmmaker Q&As that turn watching into an active conversation.

The Venue:

Experience world-class cinema at the historic Fargo Theatre (a landmark venue in the heart of downtown).

Tickets:

Information on “Grabbing your seat” will be announced soon.

🌐 Festival website: https://northernplainsfestival.org/

EVENT LINK: https://www.kulcher.org

FEE: Free

CALL FOR ART: Before We Were Happy

Adult Annual Regional Art Show

New York Mills Regional Cultural Center, New York Mills, MN

Exhibition: May 26 – July 4

Inspired by the 2026 Great American Think-Off question:

Has the pursuit of happiness made Americans unhappy?

This exhibition explores nostalgia—was the past truly happier, or is that a myth shaped by privilege, exclusion, and selective memory?

We’re seeking visual work that:

• Questions idealized histories

• Challenges nostalgia as comfort or denial

• Explores who happiness was (or wasn’t) for

• Reimagines happiness as evolving, complex, or hard-won

All visual media welcome: painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, installation & mixed media.

Submit:

Up to 2 works

Ready to display (framed)

Optional artist statement (250 words) + bio (100 words)

Include medium, size, year, and price (if for sale. Please note NYMRCC retains a standard 30% commission of all gallery sales)

Drop-off: May 19–21

24 N Main Ave, New York Mills, MN 56567

info@kulcher.org | 218-385-3339

Key Question:

Was happiness something we lost or something we were never all allowed to have?